Chapter 96: The Rescue Team Moves Out
As Rest entered the scene as part of the rescue staff, he quickly realized that this was a territory inhabited by monsters. Naturally, the monsters were already aware of their presence and were preparing to attack.
“Grrrrrr…!”
Before them stood a Wolf Demon, its menacing growl echoing in the air. There were three of them, already baring their fangs in a threatening display.
“Alright, watch closely. Daniya, Thomas, Rest—take one each. Nacua, stay in the back.”
The team leader, Yugroot, issued his commands. Thomas was a student from the Department of Knights, while Nacua was from the Department of Clergy. Although both were members of the Executive Committee, they had only exchanged greetings and had hardly spoken before.
“Got it! I’ll take the one in the middle. Thomas, you take the left, and Rest, you handle the right.”
“Understood.”
Rest didn’t question why Daniya was giving orders; there was no point in rebelling, so he nodded in agreement. The Wolf Demon before them was likely no stronger than the ones Rest had faced during training.
“Let’s finish this quickly… Wind Cutter!”
“Gyaah…!”
Before the enemy could even move, Rest unleashed his spell. The flying blade of wind sliced through the head of the rightmost wolf, dispatching it effortlessly.
“Take that!”
“Gyaah!”
Daniya lunged at the central wolf. As it tried to bite him, he deftly dodged its fangs and swung his sword. The sharp blade cut deeply into the wolf’s neck, ending its life in an instant.
“Ugh, yes! We did it!”
“Gyaow, gyaow!”
The third member, Thomas, though not as composed as Rest or Daniya, managed to take down his wolf without sustaining any injuries.
“Alright, looks like we’re in the clear.”
Yugroot clapped lightly for the trio who had dispatched the monsters without a hitch.
“It seems you can handle the basics. By the way… Rest, how many more of those spells can you cast?”
“Why do you want to know that?”
“Just answer quickly. It’s a direct order from the captain.”
Yugroot’s tone was curt. Rest sighed softly before responding.
“I’m not sure how many exactly, but… with this spell, I could cast it a hundred times without running out of Magical Power.”
“Hmm, that’s reassuring… Alright, let’s move on.”
The group advanced across the plain, taking their pre-assigned positions.
“We’ll wait here. As soon as the distress signal goes up, we’ll spring into action.”
“Understood.”
Rest and the others remained on standby as rescue staff. They would defend against any approaching monsters but would not actively hunt them. They kept a vigilant watch, scanning the skies for any sign of a distress signal.
“Oh…!”
After thirty minutes of waiting, a red smoke signal rose in the eastern sky. It was a magical item used to call for help.
“Alright, let’s go! Hurry!”
Yugroot took off running, and Rest and the others followed suit. It seemed Yugroot was using Body Enhancement, as he was moving at an impressive speed.
(If I used High Accelerator, I could easily overtake him… but since we’re operating as a squad, it wouldn’t be wise to act independently, even in an emergency.)
Rest matched his pace with his comrades as they dashed across the plain, eventually arriving at the location where the distress signal had been fired.
“GAAAAAAAH!”
“Ugh… ugh…”
“Damn… those monsters…!”
There, they found four humans and two monsters. Two of the humans were facing off against the monsters, while one lay on the ground, and the last was tending to the fallen.
The two fighting the monsters were injured and battered, while the two standing faced a Black Lion Demon, which was as large as a bear.
“We’re coming to help! I’ll take the right; you three handle the left. Nacua, attend to the injured!”
Yugroot issued concise orders as he drew his sword, heading toward the Black Lion on the left.
“Thomas and I will move to the front! Rest, cover us from the back!”
Daniya stepped forward alongside Thomas to confront the Black Lion. In battles where knights and magicians teamed up, it was customary for the knight to take the front line while the magician provided support from the rear. Daniya’s judgment was sound.
(I could easily step forward too… but I suppose I should let the two from the Department of Knights take the lead.)
Rest positioned himself behind his two knightly companions, observing the Black Lion. It was a formidable monster, and anyone lacking experience in combat against such beasts would likely fall within minutes.
(That said… it doesn’t seem overwhelmingly strong. As long as I don’t let my guard down, we should be fine.)
“Wind Cutter!”
Rest unleashed two spells simultaneously, slicing through the front legs of the bear-sized Black Lion.
“Gugyaaah!?”
While he didn’t completely sever its legs, the Black Lion stumbled, losing its balance.
“Nice one!”
“Y-yeah…!”
Seizing the opportunity, Daniya and Thomas kicked off the ground, closing in on the Black Lion from both sides, slashing at it with their swords.
“Gugyaaahhhhhh!”
Despite sustaining multiple cuts, the Black Lion fought back with its bloodied claws.
“Ice Thorn!”
“Gyaow!?”
Rest cast another spell, two ice spears piercing the Black Lion’s eyes and blinding it.
“First its legs, now its eyes… you really don’t hold back!”
Daniya shouted as he unleashed a sharp thrust. Dodging the wildly flailing claws, his strike found its mark, plunging deep into the Black Lion’s torso and piercing its heart.
“G… a…”
The Black Lion collapsed to the ground, lifeless. Dark crimson blood spread slowly across the plain, signaling the end of the battle.